Signal device



Get. 26, i937. w. R. CURTISS S IGNAL DEVICE Original Filed May 12, 1933 Patented ,@ct.. 26, 193? T- OFFICE stoner. naviera ware original application May 12,. 193s, serial No. 670,697. Divided and this application October 39, 1936, Serial No. 108,418

4 Claims.

This invention relates to signalling means and more particularly to electrically illuminated sigl nalling apparatus.

This application is a division of applicants 5 copending application Serial No. 670,697, led

I May 12, 1933.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a novel signalling unit wherein the light transmitting portions may be readily, easily and completely cleaned and which is so constructed that the accumulation of dirt on the light transmitting surfaces is minimized.

Still another object is to provide a signal lamp having novel light transmitting means whereby the entry of dirt, water and other foreign matter is substantially eliminated without decreasing light transmission as much as the same has been decreased in similar devices heretofore provided.

A further object is to provide a novel signal ,0 lamp which is so constructed as to be readily and inexpensively manufactured Vin large quantities and which is of light weight for a given size, yet

- sturdy .and durable, and adapted for use both indoors and outdoorsin all kinds of weather.

A still further object is to provide novel signailing device which is so constructed. as to render the outline of the signal more clear and distinct at much greater distances than those heretofore provided. A 30 The above and further objects and novel feal tures of the invention will more fully appear from the following detailed description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing. It is to be expressly understood, however, `that the drawing is for the purpose of illustration only and is not designed as a definition of the limits of the invention, reference being primarily had for this purpose to the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawing wherein like reference Icharacters refer to like parts throughout the several views:v v Y Fig. 1 is a sectional view of one form of novel signal lamp which may be employed in carrying out the present invention, the view being taken online I-I of Fig. 2;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the lamp shown in Fig. 1.;

Fig. 3 is a partial section taken on a line 3--3 of Fig. 2; and,

. Fig. 4 is a perspective view, with a portion` broken away, of `one form of a novel translucent disc comprehended by the present invention.

One embodiment of the novel signalling lamp comprehended by the present invention is illustrated, by way of example, (Figs. 1 to 4) as comprising a housing constituted by a shell I0 having a substantially parabolic section and a flanged front cover II forming a bezel for receiving a transparent or translucent disc i2. Preferably ,shell I0 and cover II are stamped from lightably secured to the inner wall thereof. Strip Id' and shell Ill are provided with cooperating indentations forming a horizontal portion I5 by means of which said shell is secured to a suitable y mounting post I6.

As shown, post I6 istubular and is externally threaded from end to end. The upper end of the same projects through an opening in portion I5, the latter being clamped between a pair of nuts Il and I8 thereby securely fastening shell vIII to the mounting post. Any suitable xture such as a clamping member I9, washer 2|), and nut 2| may be provided for securing post I6 to the frame member, such as a fender of avehicle.

In addition to serving as a reinforcement for shell Ill, strip I4 has its inner end bent upwardly at right angles to the axis of said shell and has a. bulb socket 22 concentric with said axis secured thereto by any suitable means such as soldering. Within the socket there is provided a springpressed contact 23'carried and centered therein 21. The latten-as shown, is mounted within shell I0 and is maintained in a xed position thereinby means of cover I I whichholds a narrow ilange of said reflector.' in engagement with the outer edge of the face of said shell. By positioning the with the foci of a substantially parabolic reector l -source of light at the foci of reflector 21, the rays will proceed fromthe latter in parallel lines.

In order to emit the light of bulb 26 in the form of a direction indicating signal, cover Il is other line.

stamped with openings forming the desired signal or figure. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention a novel form of signal is provided' whereby the range of visibility of the same is materially increased. Heretofore signals of the character illustrated, especially those in smaller and desirable sizes, have not proved to be entirely ,successful in that a clear outline of the signal was not visible except at short distances. The latter diiculty has been due to the diffusion of the light rays which causes the outline of the signal to be obliterated and appear as a solid light.

The above dificulty is overcome by the present invention wherein the signal outline in cover II is constituted by a plurality of openings 28 forming broken lines to make up the desired signal, such as the arrow shown. Preferably the lengths of the openings forming'a given line of the signal are shortened at points where there is a concentration of light due to the proximity of` an- By so forming the signal in the face of the signal lamp, the diffusion of the light rays tends to accentuate the signal rather than to blur the same since the commingling of the rays is greatly reduced for longer distances and completely eliminated for short distances. The glare produced at a distance by a signal made up of solid lines is thus greatly reduced when such lines are broken such as by means of bailles 29. It is also desirable that the lines making up the signal be separated as much as possible consistent with the formation of the outline desired. The commingling of the light rays is further prevented by the emanation of the rays in parallel lines through openings 28 as pointed out above. The width of openings 28 should be kept as small as possible for night use, but at the same time should be large enough to provide suilicient light intensity to counteract normal daytime illumination. It has been found that a suitable width for the openings 28 in a 4 inch diameter light, should be approximately 312 of an inch.

It has been heretofore proposed to provide signals or signs having a perforated plate of opaque material positioned in front of a source of light and having the perforations or openings so arranged as to form the outline of a desired signal. For the purpose of rendering such a signal more visible and to prevent the entrance of dirt, moisture and other foreign matter into the signal housing, it has also been heretofore proposed to fill said openings by punching or bulging portions of a sheet of paper, cloth or other suitable material that will stretch into or through the same, but signals of this character are extremely frangible and susceptible to damage, the same are not suitable for outside use, and the light transmitting surfaces of the paper or cloth cannot be satisfactorily cleaned without damaging the same. Others have employed glass or similar translucent material to cover the openings but the material at the point where the same extends into the openings of the opaque plate has been very thick, thereby cutting down the light emission and requiring the provision of a stronger light source for a given amount of light emission and the mounting of said material has been complicated, expensive and unsatisfactory.

For the purpose of overcoming the foregoing difficulties and for coloring the signal amber red or other suitable colors commonly employed in sired, a metal backing plate 34 may be employed. As shown, disc I2 is constituted by a stamp made from celluloid or other suitable substantially rigid, though yieldable, light transmitting substance and has raised portions 3I thereon corresponding in size and position to openings 28 in cover II.

The projections 3| thereby seal the housing IIJ-'I I against the entrance of dirt and moisture through openings 28. The thickness of projections 3I is preferably such that the outer faces thereof are substantially flush with the outer face of cover II to thereby permit easy cleaning of said raised portions and prevent the accumulation of dirt in openings 28 which would reduce the light emission through said openings. Thus, a signal unit which is carefully designed to give proper light emission for the particular purpose for which it is intended is not rendered less eilicient during use by the accumulation of dirt around the edges of openings 28. By stamping disc I2 from a flat plate having uniform thickness, the projections 3I (Fig. 3) have a thickness substantially equal to the thickness of the remainder of the disc and accordingly do not materially hinder the passage of light rays through openings 28. If desired, suitable molded discs of glass, celluloid or other suitable material but having the same shape as disc I2, i. e., the raised portions 3l and complementary recesses, may be employed in lieu of the stampings above described.

When metal plate 34 is not employed, disc I2 is maintained in contact with the inner face of cover II by being clamped between the edge of shell I and said cover when the latter is secured in assembled position. As shown, cover II is positioned and secured by means of a pin 32 on the shell which projects into an opening in the flange of cover II, and a suitable clamp constituted by ears 33, secured to shell Ill and cover II, and retaining member 33'. For daytime use the visibility of the signal is improved by the provision of the visor 35 which may be secured to the flange on cover II.

There is thus ,provided a novel signal unit whereby clear and distinct signals may be rendered visible at longer distances than heretofore with a source of light of given intensity and which may be kept clean with little or no trouble. Additionally, the unit is so constructed that the accumulation of dirt on the light transmitting surfaces which Would-cause a variation in the' effective area of said surfaces is substantially eliminated, thereby insuring a constant predetermined light emission and a clear and distinct signal at distances for which the unit is particularly designed. Although only one embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described in detail, it is to be expressly understood that various changes, particularly in the design and arrangement of parts illustrated, may be made therein Without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as will now be clearly understood by those skilled in the art. For a definition of the limits of the invention, reference will be had primarily to the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a signalling device of the character described, a cover member having a plurality of light transmitting openings therein in the form of a figure constituting a signal, and a substantially rigid light transmitting plate having raised portions extending into the openings in said cover member, said raised portions having the outer surfaces thereof substantially flush with the outer surface of the cover member and the thickness of said raised portions being substantially equal to the thickness of the remainder of the plate.

2. In a signalling device of the character described, a cover member having a light-transmitting opening therein, and a substantially rigid light-transmitting plate having a raised portion extending into the opening in said cover member, said raised portion having the outer surface thereof substantially flush with the outer surface of the cover member and the thickness of said raised portion being substantially equal to the thickness of the remainder of the plate.

3. In a signalling device of the class described, an opaque metallic cover member having one or more light transmitting openings therein arranged to form the outline of a signal, a plate of substantially rigid, moldable, water-proof, translucent material having raised portions on the outer surface thereof and recesses complementary to said raised portions in the other surface thereof, and means for securing said plate to said cover member with said raised portions of the former extending into said openings in the latter.

4. In a signalling device of the class described, an opaque vhousing cover having one or more openings therein in the form of a figure constituting a. signal, and a rigid, translucent plate, said plate having projections extending into said openings and having recesses complementary to said projections, the outer surfaces of said projections being substantially ush with the outer surface of the face of said housing cover.

WILLIAM R. CURTISS. 

